Is there link between sexualization of teens and abuse?

7:10 PM,
Aug. 29, 2013

Miley Cyrus at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards in New York City.

Written by

Joanne Bamberger

Outrage abounds over "twerking" Miley Cyrus and a semi-pornographic act the former child star performed with singer Robin Thicke on the MTV Music Awards show. MSNBC's Mika Brzezinski was sufficiently appalled to proclaim that Cyrus was "disgusting" and "pathetic." Cyrus' former TV mom Brooke Shields called her "desperate."

I was ready to dismiss the "let's condemn Miley" parade, until I read a story about a Montana man convicted of the statutory rape of a 14-year-old student in 2008. Stacey Rambold was originally sentenced to 15 years in jail for the rape of Cherice Moralez, with all but 31 ...